See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310798738

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PSC BOX GIRDER

BRIDGE DESIGN USING IRC 112-2011 AND IRC 18-
2000

Article · November 2016

CITATIONS READS

0 231

2 authors, including:

Shreedhar R
Gogte Institute of Technology
39 PUBLICATIONS 19 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

deficit irrigation View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Shreedhar R on 25 November 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 RESEARCH PAPERS

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PSC BOX GIRDER BRIDGE DESIGN

USING IRC 112-2011 AND IRC 18-2000
By

R. SHREEDHAR * SHREYANSH PATIL **

* Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, K.L.S. Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum.
** P.G. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, K.L.S. Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum.

ABSTRACT
A bridge is a structure built to span of a physical obstacles such as a water body, valley or road to have accessibility for
people and vehicle. The design and construction of road bridges require an extensive and thorough knowledge of the
science and technology involved with adequate experience of bridge engineering. In India, till now Pre-stressed
concrete road bridges are designed and constructed according to Indian road congress guidelines as per IRC: 18-
2000 code in which working stress method is adopted. Recently Indian road congress has introduced another code IRC-
112: 2011 for design of pre-stress bridges using limit state method. The study of bridge design using the limit state method
is discussed to enlighten the recently introduced IRC-112: 2011. The present study has been performed to know the
difference in design using IRC-112:2011 and IRC-18:2000 and attempt is made to study undefined parameters of IRC:
112-2011 such as span to depth (L/D) ratio. The present study is based on the design of PSC Box girder by working stress
method using IRC- 18-2000 and limit state method using IRC- 112: 2011 code specifications. It is observed that for Box
girder, L/D ratios are 33 and 26 respectively for limit state method and working stress method. In Box girder bridge
quantity of concrete can be saved in limit state method. The present study may help in limit state method of Box Girder
Bride design for defining L/D ratio.
Keywords: Prestressed Box Girder Bridge, IRC 112, Limit State, Span to Depth Ratio.

INTRODUCTION loads can be assessed with reasonable probability of

Pre-stressed concrete bridges of beam form can be
designed using the working stress method and also by limit
state method. In the working stress method, service loads
are used in the whole design and the strength of material is
not utilized to the fullest extent. In this method of design,
stresses acting on structural members are calculated
based on elastic method. In fact, the whole structure
during the life span may only experience loading stresses
far below the ultimate state. Under such scenario, the most
economical design can hardly obtain by using working
stress. In Limit state method, for each material and load, a
partial safety factor is assigned individually depending on
the material properties and loads. Therefore, each
element of load and material properties is accurately
assessed resulting in a more refined and accurate analysis
of the structure. In this connection, the material strength
can be utilized to its maximum value during its lifespan and
occurrence. Indian road congress has introduced a single
code IRC: 112-2011 recently for both pre-stress and RCC
bridges, in which no proper guidelines for considering
overall depth criteria for bridges is specified. Due to lack of
proper guidelines, analysis is carried out by trial and error
method of fixing overall depth for bridges.
1. Aim of the Study
The present study aims to develop span to depth (L/D) ratio
through which depth can be adopted. Since, in working
stress method the ratios are assumed which leads to trial
and error design. Hence, proper depth has to be
considered for design of the particular span bridge. The L/D
ratios are specified which can be taken directly for
particular box girder bridge design. For the study, various
IRC Class AA Tracked loading applied and L/D ratio is
developed for PSC Box girder bridge. These elements are
designed by the limit state method as per IRC: 112-2011.

i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l

No. 2 l
June - August 2016 1
 RESEARCH PAPERS
Figure 1. Cross section of 4 celled box girder
The effect is compared with the working stress method as
per IRC: 18-2000. Materials used in design are high grade
concrete and high strength steel wires.
2. Literature Review
Shivanand Tenagi and R. Shreedhar [1] carried out a study
on RCC slab culvert using the IRC 112 - 2011 and IRC 21-
2000 codes. The RCC slab culvert was analysed and
designed for IRC loadings as per standard specifications
and economical L/d ratios were found for both limit state
method and working stress method. The study concluded
that the volume of concrete required is less in limit state
method and L/d ratio equal to 20 for limit state method and
13 for working stress method may be adopted for design.
Ajith R and Dr J.K. Dattatraya [2] worked on the behaviour of
PSC single cell box girder. The study comprised of analyzing
single cell Box girder using SAP 2000.14v Software. The
comparative study was carried out on the longitudinal and
transverse bending stress, shear stress, torsional shear stress
by SAP2000 as well as manual calculations.
A study was carried by Pranithi and Karun S [3] out on the
skew bridge by varying skew angles from 10° to 40° for
single span and multiple span subjected to IRC Class 70R
loading using SAP 2000. Bending moments, shear forces
and deflection were evaluated by FEM analysis. The study
concluded that deflection is higher under dead load
compared to live load. As skew angle increases in the case
of two spans and three spans, bending moment decrease
under dead load. Also live load bending moment
increases with increase in skew angle.
2 i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l
Venkata Shiva Reddy and Chandan Kumar [4] carried out
study in response of concrete box girder and pre-stressed
box girder under moving load keeping carriage width
constant. The study was on the analysis of RCC and PSC box
girder using MIDAS CIVIL software. The analysis consisted of
generating influence lines and surfaces to identify the
behaviour of girders under live load and dead load and to
evaluate the bending moments, shear force and
displacements.
The parametric study was carried out for two different cells
for IRC AA tracked loading and to find out the most
economical cell using MIDAS software by Mayank
Chourasia and Dr. Saleem Akhtar [5]. The study concluded
that four celled girder were costlier than single cell girder.
D. Sawant [6] carried out a study on the cost optimization of
post tensioned I-girder. The parameters considered for
minimization where top flange width, bottom flange
thickness, depth and number of cables on a bridge.
AASHTO standard specification and IS 1343-1980 were
referred for designing purpose. MATLAB software was used
for optimization. The study concluded that the cost of I
girder reduces as the depth of the girder increases.
R. Shreedhar and Shivanand T [7] made a comparative
study using IRC112-2011 and IRC 21-2000 for T-beam RCC
bridge. The T-beam Bridge was analysed for various spans
subjected to different live load and evaluated economical
L/d ratio. The study concluded that L/d ratio equal to 14
may be adopted for T-beam bridge using IRC 112 and L/d
ratio equal to 10 using IRC 21. There was 25 to 30% savings
in quantity of concrete for L/d ratio equal to 14.
3. Objective of the Study
The main objectives of the study can be summarized as
below.
·To develop L/D ratios for pre-stressed multi cell box
girder bridges for working stress method and limit state
method.
·To work out various design parameters for multi-cell box
girder bridges for various spans.
·To validate the analytical results with the results of SAP
software.
4. Methodology
No. 2 l
June - August 2016
 RESEARCH PAPERS

The PSC Box girder spans of 50m, 60m and 70m are
subjected under different IRC Class loading Cases such as
IRC CLASS AA (Tracked vehicle) Box girders are analysed by
Working stress method (WSM ) and Limit state method (LSM).
Initially effective depth is assumed and required depth is
evaluated by working stress and limit state methods. The
volume of concrete and percentage of steel calculated
for various L/D ratio as given in Figure 2.
Following are approximate methods of analysis of
longitudinal girder
1. Courbon's method
2. Guyon- Massonet method
3. Hendry - Jaeger method
From above various methods courbon's method is flexible
and simplest method. In Longitudinal girder design for
dead loads are calculated from deck, kerb, footpath. Live
load is calculated from moving vehicles. Dead load
moments and live load moments are determined and
girder sections are designed for Pre-stressing forces. Based
on Pre-stressing force number of tendons are evaluated [8].
5. Discussions of the Results Obtained From The Present
Study
Pre-stressed bridge models are analysed for dead load,
moving load and pre-stressing effect and the results were
obtained for the L/D ratio in working stress method (WSM) as
per IRC 18 [9] and limit state method (LSM) according to
IRC 112 [10]. To choose the common and safe L/D ratio of
Box girder bridges for spans 50 m, 60 m and 70 m, each
analysis was carried out by considering accountable stress
limits and section modulus. The bridge is modelled as a
single span with simply supported condition and forces in
limit state method compare with the working stress
method. For the obtained L/D ratios, the Box girder bridge is
designed as per limit state method referring IRC: 112-2011
[10] and area of strands were tabulated. The responses
such as deflection, bending moment and shear forces are
obtained in each analysis. The material quantity is
quantified by comparing the concrete area and the
percentage of strands which were designed as per limit
state and working stress method.
5.1 Depth of Box Girder
PSC Box Girder Bridge is designed by working stress and limit
state method. In the working stress method, the depth of
the box girder is taken as L/25 and in limit state method, the
depth of the girder is obtained for the different L/D ratio
ranging from 31 to 36 as shown in Figure 3.
5.2 Deflection
The variation of deflection in various spans is as shown in
Figure 4. The deflections obtained from combination of
dead load, super imposed load, live load and pre-stressing
force are discussed in this study. The working stress method
results obtained for 50 m, 60m and 70 m span of box girder
bridges are compared with the Limit state method. For limit
state method, L/D ratio from 31 to 36 is considered.
Deflections are calculated for various span and depths as
shown in Figure 4. As L/D ratio increases, the deflection of

Figure 2. Spans and L/D ratios taken for study Figure 3. Overall depth for tracked loading

i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l

No. 2 l
June - August 2016 3
 RESEARCH PAPERS
Figure 4. Maximum Deflection in box girder
the girder decreases and the deflection values are less
than the permissible value (span /250) as per IRC 112 for
different L/D ratios and span.
The bending moment of the entire PSC bridge section is
studied for the combination of dead load, live load, super
imposed load and pre-stressing force. The obtained
response was then plotted for different L/D ratios and the
variation of bending moment in working stress method is
then compared with the limit state method as shown in
Figure 5.
The decrease in bending moment values in limit state
method as compared to a working stress method for 50m
Figure 5. Maximum bending moments in box girder
4 i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l
span is observed to vary from 6.04% in the L/D ratio of 31 to
16.2% for a L/D ratio of 36. Similarly, the decrease in
bending moment values in limit state method as
compared to a working stress method for 60m and 70m
span is observed to vary from 25.8% and 39.6% for a L/D
ratio of 31 to 33.6% and 46.51% respectively for L/D ratio of
36. As L/D ratio increases, the depth of the beam
decreases and hence dead load bending moment
decreases. This decreases the total bending moment.
5.3 Shear force
The Shear force in the entire PSC bridge section is studied
for the combination of dead load, live load, superimposed
load and pre-stressing force. The obtained response is then
plotted for different L/D ratios and the variation of shear
force in working stress method is then compared with the
limit state method as shown in Figure 6
The decrease in shear force values in limit state method as
compared to a working stress method for 50m span is
observed to vary from 3% in the L/D ratio of 31 to 5% for a
L/D ratio of 36. The decrease in shear force values in limit
state method as compared to a working stress method for
70m span is observed to vary from 3.8% in the L/D ratio of
31 to 6.6% for a L/D ratio of 36. As L/D ratio increases, the
depth of the beam decreases and hence dead load
shear force decreases and hence decrease the total
shear force in the beam.
5.4 Stresses
As span of the bridge and L/d ratio increases, the stresses as
shown in Figure 7 at top fibre increases linearly. Top ping
Figure 6. Maximum shear force in box girder
No. 2 l
June - August 2016
 RESEARCH PAPERS

similar for both working stress and limit state methods.

The concrete quantity required and percentage of steel
required are calculated for spans 50m, 60m and 70m from
different L/D ratios in limit state method and then
compared with the concrete quantity and percentage of
steel obtained in working stress method as shown in Figure 9
and Figure 10 respectively.
·The overall depth required is lesser in limit state method
than the working stress method.
·Percentage of area of strands is calculated for spans
ranging from 50 m to 70 m. It is observed that the
Figure 7. Top stresses for box girder
maximum percentage of steel in working stress method
stresses are more in a smaller depth of the girder. Bottom varies from 0.125% for 70m span to 0.159% for 50m span.
fibre stresses shown in Figure 8 are more as compared to
·The maximum percentage of area of strands in limit
top fibre stresses. It is observed that for L/d ratio ranging
state method varies from 0.192 % for 50m span to 0.180%
from 31 to 36, the bottom fibre is subjected to stresses less
for 70m span.
than the permissible value as per IRC 112 [10] and
IS1343[11].
5.5 Comparison of limit state method and working stress
method for PSC Box Girder Bridge
The depth PSC Box girder is fixed by considering the L/D ratio
of 30 to 50 m, 60 m and 70 m span in limit state and
span/25 in working stress method. Properties considered for
the design of PSC Box girder bridge by limit state and
working stress method are 1.25m width of footpath on
either sides, width of carriage way as 7.5 m, thickness of
wearing a coat is 80mm, thickness web 300 mm and
thickness of top and bottom slab 300 mm. Spacing of cells
is provided at 2 m c/c. All the properties considered are
Figure 9. Variations of concrete

Figure 8. Bottom stresses for box girder Figure 10. Tension reinforcement

i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l

No. 2 l
June - August 2016 5
 RESEARCH PAPERS
·It is also observed that in limit state, the concrete
volume is less than that of the working stress method. In
working stress method, it is 78.85 m3 to 127.54 m3 but in
limit state method, it is 75.5 m3 to 112.7m3
5.6 Validation of results for Box Girder Bridge
Figure 11. Moments for tracked vehicle
Figure 12. Shear force for tracked vehicle
Figure 13. Deflection for tracked vehicle
6 i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l
The results calculated analytically using MS-Excel for
moments, shear and defection in multi-cell box girder
bridge for spans of 50m, 60m and 70m is compared with
results obtained from SAP software for a L/D ratio of 25.
The results obtained from SAP software gives slightly higher
values as compared to manually calculated the results as
shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13.
Conclusions
From the obtained results for the defined objectives the
following conclusion is drawn and discussed.
·In case of the design of Box girder PSC bridges using
the limit state method as per IRC: 112-2011, L/D ratio of 31
to 36 can be adopted. The preferable L/D ratio of 33 for
span ranges between 50m to 70m may be adopted.
·Concrete can be saved from 5% to 12% in box girder
bridge and the concrete saving percentage increases as
span increases, when it is designed as per IRC- 112: 2011
limit state method.
Recommendation
In this study, it is recommended to design the Box girder PSC
bridges using the limit state method as per IRC: 112-2011
taking the L/D ratio of 33. This preferable L/D ratio of 33 can
be used for spans ranging from 50m to 70m. This also saves
a concrete quantity from 5% to 12% in box girder bridge.
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the Management and Principal
of KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi, Karnataka,
India for their continued support in carrying out this
research work.
References
[1]. Shivanand T. and R. Shreedhar, (2015). “ Comparative
Study Of Slab Culvert Design Using IRC 112-2011 And IRC
21-2000”. IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific
Research & Development, Vol. 3, No. 05.
[2]. Ajith R and Dr. J.K. Dattatraya, (2015). “Study on the
Structural Behaviour and Design of a Typical Single Cell Post
Tensioned Concrete Box Girder Bridge”. Journal of Civil
Engineering and Environmental Technology, Vol. 2, pp. 1-6.
[3]. Pranithi and Karuna S, (2015). “Comparative Study on
Normal And Skew Bridge Of Psc Box Girder”. International
No. 2 l
June - August 2016
 RESEARCH PAPERS

Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology. Vol.
04, No. 06, pp. 112-117.
[4]. C.K. Venkata Shiva Reddy, (2014). “Response of Box
Girder Bridge Spans Influence Based Moving Load Analysis,"
International Journal of Bridge Engineering (IJBE), Vol. 2,
pp. 21-30.
[5]. M. Chourasia and D.S. Akhtar, (2015). “Design and
Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Box Girder by Finite
Element Method (4 Cells & 1 Cell)”. International Journal of
Civil and Structural Engineering Research, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp.
413-421.
[6]. D. Sawant, (2014). “Cost Optimization of Post-Tensioned
I- Girder”. International Journal of Students' Research in
Technology & Management, Vol. 2, No. 01.
[7]. Shreedhar R., Shivanand Tenagi, (2015).
“Comparative study of T-beam bridge longitudinal girder
design using IRC 112:2011 and IRC 21:2000”. International
Journal for Scientific and Engineering Research (IJSER),
ISSN 2229-5518, Vol. 6, No. 8, pp 1807-1815
[8]. Krishnaraju, (2012). “Pre-stressed Concrete bridges
“First Edition. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.pvt. ltd., New
Delhi, India.
[9]. IRC: 18 – 2000 Design Criteria for Pre-stressed Concrete
Road Bridges (Post Tensioned Concrete), Indian Road
Congress, New Delhi, India-2000.
[10]. IRC: 112-2011 Standard specifications and code of
practice for concrete Road Bridges (pre-stressed concrete
and reinforced concrete), Indian Road Congress, New
Delhi, India-2011.
[11]. IS 1343 - 1980 “Indian Standard Code of Practice For
Pre-Stressed Concrete”. Bureau of Indian Standards, New
Delhi, India.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

R. Shreedhar is currently working as an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering Department at Gogte Institute of Technology,
Belgaum affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum. He is post graduate from National Institute of Technology,
Surathkal and pursuing his research in integral bridges. His research interests include soil-structure interaction, finite element
analysis, bridges and hydraulic structures.

Shreyansh Patil is currently pursuing his post-graduation in Structural Engineering at Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum
affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum. He is actively involved in the field of bridge design and modelling

i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, Vol. 5 l

No. 2 l
June - August 2016 7

View publication stats